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(Recorded in the Lower Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)

[Correction] Supplementing the "Stone Borer Insect" (Shi Du Chong), which was previously listed by earlier authors as having a name but no practical use.

[Names] Sand Leech (Sha Li, recorded in *Shennong Bencao Jing*); Stone Borer Insect (Shi Du Chong, recorded in *Mingyi Bielu*).
Tao Hongjing stated: The sand leech is a tiny insect found in the waters of the eastern regions. When people bathe in the water, it attaches to their bodies; it is barely visible to the naked eye, causing pain like needle pricks, and can be extracted by picking at the skin. It is likely that this medicinal substance today shares the same name but is a different organism.
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Wu Pu Bencao*, "sha li" is written as "sha bang".

[Collected Explanations]
*Mingyi Bielu* states: Shi Can (Stone Silkworm) grows in the ponds and marshes of the Jianghan region.
Su Song stated: Shi Can is abundant in rivers and mountains everywhere. It attaches to stones underwater, spinning silk cocoons resembling the strands of a hairpin, about one cun long, used to cover its body. Its color resembles mud, with the silkworm inside, hence the name Shi Can; it is merely an aquatic insect. It is rarely used by physicians.
*Mingyi Bielu* states: Shi Du Chong grows within rocks.
Chen Cangqi stated: Shi Du Chong is also known as "Shi Xia Xin Fu" (New Bride Under the Stone). It is found under stones at the bottom of waters in the Yi and Luo river areas. It resembles a silkworm, spinning silk to bind small stones together into a cocoon-like structure. In spring and summer, it pupates into a small moth and flies over the water surface.
Li Shizhen stated: The Shi Can in *Shennong Bencao Jing* and the Shi Du in *Mingyi Bielu*, when comparing the views of Chen Cangqi and Kou Zongshi along with their therapeutic functions, are undoubtedly the same substance. Additionally, there is another stone-related entity also called Shi Can, which is different from this one.

[Correction of Errors]
Tao Hongjing stated: Li Dangzhi said: Shi Can is unknown in the Jiangzuo region, where it is mistaken for a root herb. In reality, it resembles an insect, shaped like an old silkworm, growing attached to stones. Rough people obtain and eat it; it tastes salty and slightly pungent. His statement has merit, but the Jianghan region is not inhabited by such rough people. Generally, these are living organisms, similar to clams and oysters in the sea, which attach to stones and do not move; they are all living creatures. Currently, the root herbs used by common people are black, have many nodes, and resemble silkworms. This is likely incorrect and is not used by professional physicians.
Su Gong stated: Shi Can resembles a silkworm, is small with nodes, and is bluish-black. It grows in stone crevices on the banks of the Jianghan rivers. It is also found between Qishan and Longshan, but people in the north rarely use it, so collectors have ceased gathering it.
Han Baosheng stated: Li claimed it was a root herb, while Tao claimed it was a living organism. Su Gong's view that it is half plant and half insect is absurd. This insect exists among the stones in water; it is collected as fishing bait. It is most abundant in Mahu, where locals eat it, describing the taste as salty and slightly pungent.
Su Song stated: Regarding Shi Can, neither Tao Hongjing nor Su Gong reached a definitive conclusion; the explanation in the *Shu Ben* edition is correct. It is now abundant in Sichuan and Guangdong. The root herb resembling a silkworm is also named Shi Can and originates from Fuzhou. On the mountain stones in Xinzhou, it is present year-round and is also collected for medicinal use. See details under the entry for Cao Shi Can in the Vegetable Section.

[Properties and Flavor] Salty, Cold, Toxic.
Han Baosheng stated: Salty, slightly pungent.
Wu Pu stated: Lei Gong considered it: Salty, non-toxic.

[Therapeutic Actions] Treats five types of Long syndrome (dysuria/urinary retention), breaks up Shi Lin (urinary calculi/stones), and induces abortion. Its meat: Resolves stagnant Qi, promotes urination, and clears heat (*Shennong Bencao Jing*).
Shi Du Chong: Mainly treats Shi Long (painful urinary obstruction due to stones) and difficult urination (*Mingyi Bielu*).

[Elucidation]
Su Song stated: Calling Shi Can a "grass" is erroneous. The Classics state that its meat resolves stagnant Qi... [text incomplete in source].
Li Shizhen stated: Shi Can is used with its shell intact, whereas the "meat" refers to the part without the shell.

[Appendix] Yun Shi (Cloud Master), Yu Hu (Rain Tiger)
Li Shizhen stated: According to *Dunjia Kaishan Tu*: Mount Huo has Yun Shi and Yu Hu. Rong's annotation states: Yun Shi resembles a silkworm, is six cun long, and has fur like a rabbit. Yu Hu resembles a silkworm, is seven or eight cun long, and resembles a leech. They appear on stones when clouds gather or rain falls. Their meat is sweet and can be roasted for consumption. These are also categories of Shi Can.